Genesis 26, Matthew 17

Tuesday, Jan 1, 2008 - Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 26, Matthew 17)

(Genesis 26)

Verse 2 and 3 say that, “The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you.”

God knew Isaac’s thoughts. He knew Isaac was in a quandary of survival. There was a drought in the land he was promised to flourish in and he was tempted to take things into his own hands. I would imagine as a leader, this would appear to come with much risk of credibility lost. God was leading Isaac, His promise was to fulfill the covenant He had made with Abraham. But there were so many others involved. They knew the land was parched. They knew there were other options that might provide what they needed. They probably dreamed of immediate gratification. And they were looking to Isaac for leadership.

But Isaac had a direct confirmation from God. And he remained faithful. And so did God.

I’m reminded as we lead our families, our employees, influence our friends, and play a role in society how quickly we are derailed by the immediate. It’s so easy to give God a “little help” and take things into our own hands.

This expresses such a blatant lack of perspective we have. Sad but true. God has communicated throughout His word and relationships that His end goal is different than ours. Because He already knows how the story ends, His goal for us is the journey, the experience, the joy, the trust, and the faith built each day we choose to follow His ways. Our goal quickly becomes the result at the end of the journey.

Isaac’s greatest task that day wasn’t to worry about how he was going to birth a nation, it was to choose to stay in Gerar and not go to Egypt as Abraham did. While he failed the task of trusting that God would protect him and his wife without lying, he succeeded in the task of staying put.

God, give us your perspective in the daily decisions we make. Help us to trust in your protection within that daily calling. Teach us God, to move when you move us, and to wait on you when you don’t.

(Matthew 17)

Peter’s response to Jesus’ transfiguration was interesting to me. Here he is standing before Jesus, revealed as the Son of God, and next to His side stands both Moses and Elijah. Here’s what he says, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."

Notice that none of them responded to Peters question. They literally ignored him. I don’t know if it was because it was such a ridiculous request, simple request, a request without perspective, or what, but they did not respond. Instead, God interrupted and continued with His revelation.

I wondered today what was going through Peters mind. Obviously, to some extent, he just wanted everyone to stay put. “This is good”, he thought “How can I control things and keep it like this forever?” OK, here’s the deal Jesus, I’ll build you guys a shelter (because you need that so much) and you can stay. He didn’t even go so far as to offer a palace or some grand piece of design and architecture. The word literally translates to be a place of shade or covering. What an underwhelming offer.

Too many times, that’s exactly how my faith is. I try to bundle up Jesus and try to keep him in a place I want him. Maybe to keep him out of others places (Don’t we all?) I take the stories and miracles of the time of Moses and Elijah and place them in my safe box of understanding. In my flesh, I so easily make them what I need (or want) them to be and forget that God is on a mission bigger than mine.

Father, help us to receive your Truth as Truth. Give us courage that when we discover something in your Word and through the life of Jesus to let go and receive it. Teach us to stop trying to control our faith and simply live in covenant relationship with you as sons and daughters of the living God. Help us to stop “doing” things for you God and to see that our efforts are as simple as Peter’s offer to build a shelter for Jesus. Thank you for Grace that our salvation does not depend upon what we can offer you, but instead, what you have offered us as a free gift of love.